Why Cosmetic Dental Bonding?

dental bonding in west jordan, ut

Have you ever wondered what cosmetic dentistry procedures are? If so, you have come to the right place. A cosmetic dentist’s mission is to improve oral health and the appearance of your mouth, teeth, gums, and overall smile. Standard procedures include teeth whitening, dental bonding, veneers, fillings, and implants. 

Here at Holt Dental Care in West Jordan, Utah, we provide dental bonding services amongst many others. Dental bonding fixes minor imperfections such as small chips or stains on teeth. Our teeth are solid, but they’re not indestructible. Dental bonding works best for healthy teeth that have suffered minor damage or trauma. 

Your teeth are naturally strong. Your enamel is one of the strongest parts of your body. Chipping a tooth, however, is easier than you think. You can crack a tooth on a glass bottle, water fountain, ice cubes, or even during childbirth. It’s easier to chip a tooth if you struggle with tooth decay or deal with abnormal amounts of acid that eat away at your enamel.

 

What is Dental Bonding?

The term bonding describes a procedure where tooth-colored dental composite resins (bonding material) are used. Direct tooth bonding techniques change the shape and color of teeth as well as close gaps between teeth. Dental bonding can repair chipped, broken, cracked, or misaligned teeth and cover unsightly stains (see before and after pics here). It can even lengthen a tooth that is shorter than the rest. 

Unlike crowns or caps, direct bonding requires minimal tooth reduction, making it a very conservative procedure. The composite color matches your tooth, so it continues to look as natural as possible.  

Many people use dental bonding to improve their smile, but fixing chips and cracks is also vital for your oral health. It helps you chew properly and prevents further damage that could threaten the health of the surrounding teeth.

 

How does Dental Bonding Work?

Teeth bonding is an in-and-out procedure, painless and long-lasting. In the first stage, Dr. Holt will choose a composite resin color that matches the color of your teeth. 

Once the tooth has been prepared and cleaned in the dental lab, the tooth is etched with a weak phosphoric acid solution to create a porous surface for increased bonding strength. This rough surface makes it easier for the liquid and the composite to stick.

Next, a composite resin is placed incrementally onto the tooth and shaped, contoured, and hardened with a curing light. The restoration is then contoured to fit the bite and is highly polished, creating a natural appearance. 

These fillings require a bit more time than the silver fillings because of the steps involved. Composite fillings can also be a bit more sensitive, at first, to extreme hot and cold.

 

How do I take Care of my Bonded Tooth?

Nothing is stronger than your natural teeth and enamel, including the composite resin. So, even though a bond repairs the tooth, you still need to take good care of it.

Bonding lasts longer when you practice good oral hygiene habits. Brushing and flossing two times a day is essential. Avoid starchy foods and sweets as much as possible, as these disrupt your mouth’s natural pH levels and lead to increased production of bacteria found in plaque.

Bonding typically lasts anywhere from 3-7 years, depending on care. Unlike porcelain dental veneers, dental bonding does stain and can chip easily. So, avoid chewing on ice cubes, pens, hard foods, and candies. None of these are suitable for your natural teeth either, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.

It’s important to note that resin doesn’t resist long-term stains. You’re more likely to experience discoloration if you drink a lot of coffee and red wine or if you smoke or chew tobacco products. 

Stains attach to bonding resin more than natural enamel. And unfortunately, you can’t whiten bonding resin. So, if you stain your bond, you will be stuck with discolored teeth that will eventually need to be replaced.

 

Are you ready for Dental Bonding?

Many patients find they can maximize the beauty of their natural smiles with cosmetic dentistry treatments. If you are ready to get rid of the minor cosmetic flaws that leave you embarrassed to flash a big smile, then contact us today at Holt Dental Care, your cosmetic dentist in West Jordan, Ut. 

Dr. Holt will examine and discuss your smile goals and budget to help you determine the treatment that best suits your needs.